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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 23) investigating a suspected case of food poisoning involving 15 schoolchildren from a secondary school in Western District.
The affected, all girls aged from 13 to 17, developed diarrhoea and abdominal pain about 1.5 to 15 hours after consuming lunch prepared by the school yesterday.
Their symptoms were generally mild. Two of them sought medical treatment from private doctors and none required hospitalisation.
Investigation by CHP is in progress
CHP reminded people, especially food handlers, to observe good personal and environmental hygiene to prevent food-borne diseases.
People are advised to take the following measures:
* Do not consume food that has been discoloured or tastes abnormal; and
* Wash hands thoroughly before eating and after going to the toilet.
Members of the trade are reminded to:
* Clean and cook food thoroughly before consumption, particularly crustacean and bivalve seafood such as shrimp, crab, oysters and clams;
* Keep raw and cooked foods separately to reduce the risk of cross-contamination;
* Cold dishes should be kept at 4oC or below, and hot-served foods at 60oC or above;
* Food should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours; and
* Observe good personal and environmental hygiene.
Ends/Friday, March 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 20:40
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